Big cats are some of the most vulnerable mammals in the world, with many species facing extinction. This list includes cheetahs, lions, tigers and other felines which live in wild savannas or other parts of the world. In the last few thousands of years, many species went into oblivion due to global warming, habitat loss and the expansion of humans on their territory.

The first one on the list is the American cheetah, which despite its name, was not a cheetah but more closely related to cougars. It had a slim, slender body, and it was an agile hunter. It lived in the grasslands of North America, and it was very fast. But even with all of these attributes, it went extinct almost 12,000 years ago after the last Ice Age, and after humans began to spread all over the world like a disease.

The Bali Tiger was a gorgeous and majestic creature, worthy of fairy tales and myths. It was native to the island of Bali, as the name suggests, and it went extinct just fifty years ago, due to humans and our unsafe lifestyle. For thousands of years it co-existed with the locals, but then Europeans arrived and ruined the whole balance by hunting them for their luxurious coat, and to protect their homes and livestock.

Another big cat that has sadly disappeared from our planet is The Cape Lion or Panthera leo melanochaita. Although its place within the genus is often criticized by some naturalists, it was still a reputable hunter that couldn’t be avoided. It was a common sight in South Africa for hundreds of years, until the late 19th century when it stopped being spotted by cat-watchers.

This next name might confuse some of you, but that doesn’t mean this species didn’t exist. The European Lion comprised of three species, rather than just one. They were larger than the average big feline, as they weighed around 400 pounds with females being larger than males. They were even used for combat in the infamous Roman arenas.

There is another Indonesian tiger that shares the same sad history as its brother, The Bali Tiger. It lived just on the exotic Java Island, which is part of the Indonesian archipelago. Unlike its counterpart, it wasn’t hunted down to extinction, but the loss of its natural territory made the species starve to death, as the human population on the island exploded in the mid 19th century. The last specimens were spotted two decades ago, and there’s still hope that the species might not be completely extinct.

It’s unlikely that we will ever get these big cats to make a comeback, even with the genetic experiments that are very talked about these days. Extinction should be a lesson to us, Homo sapiens, that we have to take care of our environment and to respect the animals’ right to be on the same Earth that we are inhabiting.

Before embarking on a safari trip, you start wondering about what shoes and clothes to pack. Because of this, you might end up forgetting one essential item that can make your journey a lot more enjoyable and memorable. Since binoculars are indeed small items, you could think they don’t worth the trouble. Nevertheless, you shouldn’t overlook this simple treasure because safaris are all about observing the details from a far distance.

If you decide to give it a go and invest in a nice pair of binoculars you will be able to catch the magnificent wildlife in every game park that you visit. Plus, a tool of this kind comes in handy especially if you want to get closer to wild animals without putting yourself in danger.

You need to pay attention to certain aspects when buying binoculars for safaris. In order to benefit from the best possible views, you should check only top-notch binoculars. Indeed, some safari companies provide their tourists with packages that contain some tools for viewing the scenery. However, they are made from low-quality elements so you should stick to known brands and purchase your own binocular before leaving home.

In terms of what features to consider you should pay attention to the outer diameter, power of magnification, sturdiness, field of view, weight, prims, optical coatings, and eye relief. Of course, the budget limitations matter but keep an eye on discounts and sales and you might end up paying less for the binocular you desire.

During safaris, your primary goal is to get a clear view of the wildlife. Especially in the morning and before dawn, you’ll need a pair that showcases a large outer diameter. Not to mention the good exit pupil size that is mandatory if you want to get plenty of light. Ideally, you should be fine with a 5.25 mm or more exit pupil.

Magnification power is important because it’s the feature responsible for bringing the image closer to your eyes. If it’s higher enough, you’ll see more details from a far distance. Just make sure you don’t go too high because it’s harder to handle a binocular with higher magnification power unless you’re using a tripod.

A wide field of view makes a difference during a safari trip because you can spot the animals even when they are hiding behind bushes and trees.

Since you’ll be spending an entire day outdoors, you should purchase a lightweight binocular that you can carry it in your backpack along with other supplies. Imagine the heat and dry air so if you have to carry extra weight, you might have a problem.

Keep in mind that going into a safari means that you’ll be exposed to rough terrains. Make sure you get a durable unit that can withstand any bumps if you happen to slip the binocular from your hands.

Your RV should be packed with everything you need while on the road. This means that one thing that should not be amiss is a toilet. Stopping at gas stations along the road is a possibility, but who wants to do that all the time? Plus, if you are traveling with the entire family in tow, you will learn soon enough that disciplining everyone to use the toilet when you reach gas stations can prove difficult.

Picking theperfect RV toilet should not be difficult. However, if you feel like you are overwhelmed with all the choices available, then it would be good to learn a few pointers. Here are some things I would like to recommend.

Easy to install, easy to clean

If the idea of a portable toilet makes you feel a bit squeamish about the maintenance it entails, fret not. There are models on the market that are designed with the ease of cleaning and maintenance in mind. Pick a model that is advertised as beingeasy to install.

I would suggest reading what other people have to say about a particular model. An RV toilet should not be that different from a standard toilet, and as close to the latter it is, the better.

Comfortable flushing system

Since I like RV-ing a lot, comfort means a lot to me. That is why I recommend people to focus on the comfort factor when they purchase various things for their RVs. In the case of portable toilets, I want to talk a bit about the flushing system.

Does the toilet you have your eyes set on a lever mechanism, or do you need to push a pedal to flush it? It all comes down to what you consider more comfortable. Don’t forget that you will be stuck with the model you pick at least for the duration of one travel, and that can be long enough for a poorly designed toilet to drive you nuts.

Different types available

Here are some things to learn about the various RV toilets on the market. Models with gravity flush are installed over the waste tank, and they are quite common. If you want to go for the tried and tested, this type is highly recommended.

Those with macerating flush are a bit more advanced. They macerate the waste before letting it go to the waste holding tank. This is a design that enables you to install your toilet away from the waste reservoir.

Another type that allows you to install the toilet in other places than over the tank is the vacuum flush model. Acassette design is compact and can be fitted for good over the waste reservoir. And last, but not least, portable toilets are a thing that can be used since they are cheap and convenient. However, you will have to take care of removing the lower tank and emptying it.

Yes, you can live in a normal house like everyone else. This kind of living is not ludicrous at all since you enjoy the freedom of space, with doors and staircases separating you from other family members. Note a tinge of sarcasm there?

Well, I have nothing against living in houses. I grew up in one. But when I discovered the RVing lifestyle, it would be pretty hard for me to want to go back. So I bought an RV. Outright. And I and my spouse have been enjoying the freedom of the open road ever since. It takes guts to explore and see how the RV lifestyle fits you but it is a journey worth taking, each and every day.

While plenty of other people take out a loan to finance their rig, my wife and I decided to buy one outright. A loan increases the cost of ownership of an RV and can even add up to the RV living costs.

You might love traveling faster in the beginning because believe me, you will not have eliminated that 2-week-vacation mindset just yet. Give that mentality about three to four months, and by then, you will have ceased to race to the next destination. By that time, the journey will have become the destination.

Few people realize it but full-time RVing actually costs less than they expect. That said, it will depend on how much downsizing you are willing to do to your current living arrangements.

The payment for a brand-new motorhome runs from $350 to $900 per month. However, deciding on an older model that you can probably acquire by selling the family car prevents this burden.

The insurance for the motorhome varies between $50 and $150 per month. Then factor in the healthcare insurance for every person traveling with you, which is anywhere from $150 to $250 per month. However, that’s only if you go for high deductible health insurance premiums

Registering your RV will set you back by $35 to $115 a year for every vehicle. This does not include the registration for an extra car you might be towing as well.

If you are one of those who prefers to stay connected on the road, be prepared to shell out from $70 to $239 a month to watch your favorite TV shows, surf the net, or use your cellphone.

Obtain information about top-notch GPS devices from bestrvgps.com so you can get a navigation tool to help you locate good RV campgrounds. With the variety of information you get, you can find out about RV campground fees that vary greatly depending on the destination you are traveling to. On average, you should spend probably $500 per month for RV campsite use. For thrifty RV living, look for free RV camping, free RV parks, or cheaper RV parks.

You’ll also have to be prepared to shell some money out for propane fees, RV maintenance, food, personal needs, laundry, and RV fuel, among the essentials.

All of those give you a total from $1,250 to $5,000 per year.

Take that side by side with the $1,500 home rentals per month, as well as the other expenses including utilities, weekly groceries, and plenty more down the road.